cant
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Latin cantare, "to sing," probably through Old French. A doublet of "chant."
Full origin of cant →Frequently asked questions
What does “cant” mean?
The word “cant” means the specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group. In plain terms, either insincere talk, group-specific jargon, or a tilt/slope.
How do you pronounce “cant”?
“Cant” is pronounced kant (/kænt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cant” in a sentence?
Here is “cant” used in a sentence: “Sailors developed their own cant that outsiders found hard to follow.”
What part of speech is “cant”?
Depending on how it is used, “cant” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cant” come from?
The word “cant” comes from Latin. From Latin cantare, "to sing," probably through Old French. A doublet of "chant.".
Is “cant” a common word?
“Cant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cant” have?
“Cant” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.
What is the difference between cant and jargon?
Jargon is the neutral technical vocabulary of a profession or field, used for precision. Cant traditionally means the private or specialized language of a particular class or group, sometimes with an implication that it is used to exclude outsiders.
What is the difference between cant and slang?
Slang is informal vocabulary used broadly in casual speech. Cant is narrower, referring either to the specialized jargon of a specific trade or group, or to insincere, moralizing talk.
What is the difference between 'cant' and 'can't'?
They are near-homophones with unrelated meanings. 'Can't' is the contraction of 'cannot,' while 'cant' is a noun meaning specialized jargon or hypocritical, insincere talk. Only 'can't' takes an apostrophe.